Napoli look to extend their win streak (currently at seven matches in all competitions), while Cremonese seek their first league victory since earning promotion to Serie A.
US Cremonese
Massimiliano Alvini continues to pursue his first league win since being appointed as Cremonese’s new manager in June. Alvini replaced Fabbio Pecchia, who shocked fans by resigning in May, after leading the club to their first promotion to Serie A in over 30 years.
Cremonese enter this match sitting second from the bottom of the table on three points, one point clear of Sampdoria. However, Cremonese have had a very difficult fixture list. After consecutive defeats to Fiorentina, Roma, Torino and Inter, the Grigiorossi have drawn three of their last four (against Sassuolo, Atalanta and Lecce, with a 4-0 loss to Lazio along the way).
SSC Napoli
Napoli picked up right where they left off before the international break. After a 3-1 victory over Torino – a match that was over by halftime – the Partenopei traveled to Amsterdam and thrashed Ajax 6-1.
With the wins, Napoli sit top of the Serie A table (tied with Atalanta on 20 points) and top of UEFA Champions League Group A, with three wins in three and a whopping +11 goal differential.
Injuries/Suspensions
After playing the full 90 minutes in each of Scotland’s three UEFA Nations League matches during the September international break, Jack Hendry was not in the squad for Cremonese’s match against Lecce due to an unknown injury.
Piotr Zielinski suffered a blunt force trauma to the right calf in Napoli’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Ajax on Tuesday. However, the Polish midfielder could still be on the Napoli bench. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen has reportedly recovered from a thigh muscle injury that has kept him out for a month. However, Osimhen is not expected to travel to Cremona for this match.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Massimiliano Alvini:
“We prepare ourselves by making the players understand that it is a great opportunity to improve and compete with strong opponents. Clearly this is what we want to do. The more difficult the opponent is, the more beautiful it is to be able to play. From a psychological point of view we have done this. I trust the team a lot because we are growing. I trust the work we do as a staff.”
Luciano Spalletti:
“We will find a beautiful environment. Cremona lives football correctly. I know people who tell me that they are experiencing this Serie A in a positive way. I know that Pecchia coached them and what he gave them. I know Max Alvini well, he is a great friend of mine. When he coached amateurs he had a fully gallery to see him. Coaches who do amateur football can train and do well anywhere. Let’s not be fooled by the face, he is a very good and crafty one. Tomorrow I will greet him and I will hug him tightly, because he deserves it. I am the lucky one to coach in the same category as him.”
Previous Meetings
| June 13, 1999 | SSC Napoli | 2-1 | US Cremonese |
| January 24, 1999 | US Cremonese | 1-1 | SSC Napoli |
| March 10, 1996 | US Cremonese | 1-1 | SSC Napoli |
| October 29, 1995 | SSC Napoli | 0-0 | US Cremonese |
| February 12, 1995 | SSC Napoli | 1-0 | US Cremonese |
Match Officials
Head Official: Rosario Abisso
Assistants: Pasquale De Meo and Luca Mondin
Fourth Official: Jean Luca Sacchi
VAR: Marco Di Bello and Giacomo Paganassi
